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Citrus-Spiced Sticky Date Cake Recipe

Citrus-Spiced Sticky Date Cake Recipe

This Citrus-Spiced Sticky Date Cake combines dates with zesty orange and lemon flavors, enhanced by warm spices, ideal for dessert or afternoon tea.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Western
Servings 8 slices
Calories 250 kcal

Equipment

  • cake tin
  • mixing bowls
  • saucepan
  • whisk
  • Spatula

Ingredients
  

Cake Ingredients

  • 200 g pitted dates, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 250 ml boiling water
  • 150 g unsalted butter, softened
  • 150 g brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 200 g all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 unit zest of orange
  • 1 unit zest of lemon
  • 2 tablespoon Greek yogurt

Nut Crumble Topping

  • 50 g walnuts, chopped
  • 25 g almonds, chopped
  • 2 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted
  • 0.25 teaspoon cinnamon

Citrus Syrup

  • 1 unit juice of orange
  • 0.5 unit juice of lemon
  • 3 tablespoon sugar

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Place the chopped pitted dates in a bowl, sprinkle with baking soda, then pour over the boiling water. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to soften and absorb the liquid.
  • In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with brown sugar until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in the orange and lemon zest to infuse the batter with citrus aroma.
  • Gently fold the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg into the bowl. Stir in the Greek yogurt and the softened dates mixture, mixing gently until everything is well incorporated without overmixing.
  • Pour the cake batter into a prepared cake tin. In a separate bowl, mix chopped walnuts, chopped almonds, brown sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon to create a nutty crumble topping. Evenly sprinkle this mixture over the batter in the tin.
  • Place the cake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a skewer into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  • While the cake bakes, combine orange juice, lemon juice, and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves completely, then keep warm.
  • Once baked, let the cake cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack. Drizzle the warm citrus syrup evenly over the top of the cake just before serving to enhance flavor and moisture.

Notes

Ensure the baking soda is fully dissolved in boiling water with the dates to activate its softening effect. Use fresh citrus zest for the best flavor; avoid the bitter white pith. Check the cake at 40 minutes to avoid over-baking and maintain moistness. The citrus syrup can be prepared ahead and gently reheated when serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 2gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 400IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg
Keyword baking, Cake, Citrus-Spiced Sticky Date Cake Recipe, dessert, Sticky Date Cake, Vegetarian
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